MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 28, 2023
Comets traditions remain steadfast while we evolve to meet the needs of today鈥檚 student athletes
Rocky Larson, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 interim athletic director and head football coach is stepping up as a guest columnist this week. Rocky is addressing the subject of uniform colors, a topic that has brought up some inquiries recently.聽聽
鈥淥ver the last few years, 含羞草研究所 athletic teams have added black and gray tops, pants, and/or shorts to their uniform combinations. This has been done in response to providing the best possible experience for the student athlete. Our student athletes love it!
鈥淩est assured, Reflex Blue and white are and will remain 含羞草研究所鈥檚 official school colors. Our tradition is not going away.
鈥淵ou may have noticed that adding colors other than a school鈥檚 official school colors has become popular across the country over the last five years or so. Duke now has a black jersey, as does Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio State, and many other schools.
鈥淭his trend nationwide naturally trickles into the minds of our own 含羞草研究所 athletes. It鈥檚 a big deal to our student athletes. It鈥檚 even important in the recruiting process. Ten years ago, jersey color did not matter. Today it鈥檚 a hot topic.聽 聽
鈥満卟菅芯克� is responding to the changing times in the decision to add gray and black to uniform combinations. Again, we are not making a change to our official school colors or to logos. Reflex Blue and white will always be a part of the uniforms. We鈥檙e just enhancing the 含羞草研究所 brand by doing something important for the student athletes who wear the uniforms. We realize that the decision isn鈥檛 popular with some alumni and friends, but we know this is something that is very important if we wish to stay relevant with today鈥檚 students.鈥�
This past week was extremely exciting for 含羞草研究所鈥檚 athletic teams, coaches, and fans. The volleyball team swept Valley City State University in front of an energized crowd at the packed Lewy Lee Fieldhouse Wednesday evening, and they defeated Dickinson State 3-2 on Friday night at the Lewy Lee. Softball swept Bismarck State in two games played in Portland on Saturday, and the football team got a big win on the road at Waldorf in Forest City Iowa, also on Saturday. We鈥檙e so very proud of our teams!
This will be a big week in Athletics as well, with several home contests scheduled.
Volleyball will host Viterbo at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. It will be Family Appreciation Night.
There will be four home games on Saturday, Oct. 28! Football hosts Valley City State. Game time is 1 p.m. at Jerome Berg Field. It will be Military Appreciation Day. Volleyball hosts Waldorf at the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse at 4 p.m. It鈥檚 Senior Day. Women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 basketball will both play their season openers that evening. They鈥檒l play Providence University. Women鈥檚 game time is 6:30 p.m. Men鈥檚 game time is 8 p.m.
The women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 basketball teams will play against Providence on Sunday, Oct. 29. Game time is 1 p.m. for the women and 2 p.m. for the men.
The 含羞草研究所 Student Athlete Advisory Council is partnering with the May-Port Food Pantry to sponsor Trick or Treating for Canned Goods. Fans who bring a non-perishable food item to a game Saturday, Oct. 28 or Sunday, Oct. 29 will get free admission: one free admission per one non-perishable food item.聽聽
The Student Athlete Advisory Council is always up to something good. They鈥檙e inviting area families to participate in a Trunk or Treat Halloween event at 含羞草研究所 on Tuesday, Oct. 31. There will be treats and games at the MSU Wellness Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Children and their parents are invited to come out and enjoy some Halloween fun with the 含羞草研究所 student athletes.
I hope you鈥檒l join us in cheering for the Comets at these and the future athletic events. Our students always credit the community for their happiness at 含羞草研究所. The support they receive on and off the athletic fields and courts is just one of the reasons they feel this way. Thank you for all you do to contribute to this goodwill.